Buying a home these days can be a tricky process. Not only do you need to fall in love with a property in your ideal location, there are other costs that need to be considered such as any building or construction work that will be needed to make the house `liveable` in. And buying a house in Las Vegas can be even more tricky as it is such a sought-after place to live.

When you are considering buying a house there are a few things that should be checked so that there are no nasty surprises. There are some factors in your possible new home that might prove to be costly to repair or replace, so it is important that you know where you stand before you make an offer.

1. Wood pests – Wood destroying pests can be extremely destructive right down to the structure of the house. Pests such as woodworm can eat away at wood, causing bad damage, and the best way to identify this is by calling in an expert. Wood munching pests are most likely to be found in older properties.

2. Electrics – It is important for your own and your family’s safety that you have a decent electrical system. An electrician can tell you if the electrical system is up to date and safe as well as give you advice about what work is required as well as how much it can cost.

3. Heating and Air-Conditioning – Heating systems in Las Vegas are important – whether it is to keep your home warm in the winter or cool in the summer, so it is important that you check these systems before you make an offer. Las Vegas heating repair can be a lot more cost effective that replacing the whole system – regardless of whether it is just heating, air conditioning or both together.

4. Plumbing – The consequences of water leakage and its subsequent damage can be very expensive and destructive to a property, so it is essential that you check that the plumbing system is also working properly. You can look for obvious `watery` signs whilst you are looking around the property such as water marks, damp or mould. If the property is old, ask the current owners about the plumbing and how recently it has been replaced.

5. Sewers and Drainage – Check the drainage and guttering to ensure that there don’t appear to be any blockages and that they are well maintained. You should also check how the sewage system works – does it go through a mains drainage system or into a tank which needs to be emptied subsequently?

6. Kitchen – You should check what is in the kitchen and what’s going to be left. Often taking out appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can be more expensive than buying new ones so check whether these will be left for you if you buy the property.

Buying a new property can be exciting and it can be easy to get swept along with the excitement. It is important, however, to make sure that you check these systems so that you don’t find yourself landed with high repair or replacement bills soon after you move in.